Celine Dion made her first official appearance on Friday following the release of her heartbreaking documentary I Am: Céline Dion.
The legendary singer, 56, who shared heartbreaking footage of herself suffering a seizure in the film, looked happy and healthy during the 2024 NHL Draft at the Sphere Arena in Las Vegas.
Announced the fifth overall pick by the Montreal Canadiens during the first round of the professional hockey draft.
Dressed in a sleek white shirt and matching skirt, the Grammy winner flashed her big smile as she took the stage to share the sports news.
It comes after the star’s emotional documentary showed the devastating effect of her battle with stiff person syndrome.
Céline Dion made her first official appearance on Friday since the premiere of her heartbreaking documentary I Am: Céline Dion
The legendary singer, 56, who shared heartbreaking footage of herself having a seizure in the film, looked happy and healthy during the 2024 NHL Draft at the Sphere Arena in Las Vegas.
Scenes from the film showed the Grammy winner suffering an agonizing ten-minute seizure, and the star was seen gasping as medical professionals desperately tried to relieve her painful muscle spasms while a camera crew silently filmed the ordeal.
In clear distress, a frantic Dion was given a medicinal nasal spray, commonly used to treat the effects of cluster seizures in SPS patients.
The singer watched helplessly as doctors gently placed her in a comfortable position and checked her vital signs.
All the while, his bare feet remained stiff as he battled the debilitating effects of this rare disease.
After receiving help, the singer was finally able to sit up and covered herself with a blanket before admitting her shame at losing control of her body in front of the cameras.
In December 2022, Dion revealed that she had been diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, a serious neurological condition, and that she would be postponing tour dates due to this condition.
By May of the following year, he had canceled all of his remaining concerts, citing his continuing battle with illness.
The disease, which affects one in a million people and causes muscles to tense uncontrollably, eventually leaving sufferers looking like “human statues” as it progressively locks the body into rigid positions, leaving sufferers unable to walk or speak.
Announced the fifth overall pick by the Montreal Canadiens during the first round of the professional hockey draft.
Celine dressed in an elegant white shirt and matching skirt.
The Grammy winner flashed a big smile as she took the stage to share the sports news.
While there is no cure for SPS, there are treatments that slow the progression and Dion revealed she was doing everything she could to minimize the symptoms.
She addressed her fans in a tearful Instagram post on December 8, 2022, adding that it was forcing her to postpone her European tour.
‘Hello everyone, I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you. “I miss you all so much and I can’t wait to be on stage talking to you in person,” she wrote.
‘As you know, I’ve always been an open book and wasn’t ready to say anything before, but now I am.
‘I’ve been dealing with health issues for a long time and I’ve found it very difficult to face my challenges and talk about everything I’ve been going through.
‘I was recently diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called stiff person syndrome, which affects one in a million people.
“Although we are still learning about this rare condition, we now know that this is what has been causing all the spasms I have had.”
Detailing the impact the condition has had on her, Dion continued: ‘Unfortunately, these spasms affect all aspects of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing as I’m used to.
This comes after the star’s emotional documentary showed the devastating effect of her battle with stiff-person syndrome.
Ivan Demidov, center, poses after being selected by the Montreal Canadiens during the first round of the NHL hockey draft
Celine surprised with her elegant outfit
The singer made her appearance after the debut of her heartbreaking documentary, where she gave a glimpse into her battle against SPS.
‘It pains me to tell you today that this means I won’t be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February.’
She added: “I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better and my beautiful children who support me and help me.”
‘I’m working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to regain my strength and ability to perform again, but I have to admit it’s been a struggle.
“The only thing I know how to do is sing. It’s what I’ve done my whole life and it’s what I like to do the most. I miss you so much. I miss seeing you all on stage performing for you.
‘I always give 100 percent when I do my program, but my condition now allows me to give you that right now.
‘In order to contact you again, I have no choice but to focus on my health at this time and am hopeful that I am on the road to recovery. This is my focus and I am doing everything I can to recover.
‘I want to thank you all so much for your good wishes, your love and your support on my social media. This means a lot to me. Take care of yourselves. Be well. I love you all so much and I really hope to see you again very soon.’
Dion’s sister Claudette later shared an update on the Power Of Love singer’s health.
Céline Dion insisted no changes be made in a harrowing new documentary about her battle with stiff person syndrome (SPS) after she was filmed experiencing a long spasm.
Speaking to Le Journal de Montreal (via SheLabyrinth), Claudette said she was being cared for by her sister Linda and was working closely with researchers who specialize in this rare disease.
“We can’t find any medicine that works, but it’s important to have hope,” he said.
‘Honestly, I think what she needs the most is rest. She always goes above and beyond (when acting), she always tries to be the best and on top of her game.
‘At any given moment, your heart and your body are trying to tell you something. It’s important to listen to it.’
She added: “(Acting) is something innate in her, she is disciplined in all areas of her life,” added Claudette.
“When I call (Celine) and she’s busy, I talk to my sister Linda, who lives with her, and she tells me she’s working hard.”
Dion later made her first public appearance in three and a half years at a hockey game in November 2023.
The Titanic superstar singer was seen in public for the first time in three and a half years when the Montreal Canadiens took on the Vegas Golden Knights.
In pictures posted online, Dion was accompanied by her sons René-Charles and twins Nelson and Eddy, and appeared to be in high spirits as she greeted players and fans in the locker room after the match.
The singer revealed her Stiff Person Syndrome diagnosis in an emotional video, shared with her Instagram followers in December 2022.
After publicly sharing her diagnosis, the star made a surprise appearance at the Grammy Awards in February 2024 and received a standing ovation.
Months later, the singer made a shocking appearance at the 2024 Grammy Awards.
The star was visibly emotional as she took to the stage supported by her eldest son René-Charles Angelil, 23, to cheers and a standing ovation to present the Album of the Year award.
She said: ‘Thank you all! I love you too. You look gorgeous. When I say I’m happy to be here, I mean it from the heart.
‘Those who have been fortunate enough to be here at the Grammy Awards should never take for granted the tremendous love and joy that music brings to our lives and to people around the world.’